Chattanooga, Tenn. (Aug. 20, 2025) – With its beautiful setting in a ridged crook of the Southern Appalachians, Chattanooga is the kind of city that visitors can enjoy from mountaintop to river bottom.
Thanks to a new ticket bundling to two of the Scenic City’s most-beloved attractions, guests will soon be able to start their day on the downtown waterfront by exploring the Tennessee Aquarium before taking to the skies to experience the fairytale wonder of Rock City Gardens at night.
The Tennessee Aquarium + Rock City Combo Ticket will be available for purchase exclusively online beginning Aug. 20.
At the Aquarium, guests will discover playful penguins, adorable otters and thousands of fresh and saltwater animals from around the world as they follow a drop of water winding its way from the forested slopes of the Appalachian Mountains to the distant sea.
During their visit, Aquarium guests can enjoy daily programs that dive deeper into the Aquarium’s animal residents and their care. These offerings include the chance to watch animal care specialists feed the Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins in Penguins’ Rock, a talk with the Aquarium’s expert butterfly keeper and live educator-led chats with SCUBA divers swimming inside the 618,000-gallon Secret Reef exhibit.
A Giant Pacific Octopus swims in an exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium. (Credit: Tennessee Aquarium)
Guests can end their day atop Lookout Mountain at Rock City, where ancient rock formations, lush pathways and the sweeping “Seven States View” await. As evening falls, Rock City transforms into a mystical landscape with dramatic lighting that illuminates the towering cliffs and winding trails. The gardens glow, rock formations shimmer, and city lights below twinkle, creating an enchanting nighttime experience.
A newly reimagined Gnome Quest invites guests to interact with Rock City in a fun and engaging way. Free to participate, the quest features four challenges inspired by resident gnomes and their favorite sections of the Enchanted Trail. Each varies in difficulty and offers a commemorative token upon completion.
These single-day combo tickets offer the chance to save money while experiencing two iconic attractions in one unforgettable day. Combo passes are $59 for adults and $49 for ages 5-17, a combined savings of $10 ($5 off each attraction). Children under 5 receive free admission to the Aquarium and Rock City.
To make the most of your visit, we recommend beginning with the Aquarium in the morning or early afternoon and exploring Rock City in the afternoon or evening. Last entry at the Aquarium is at 5 p.m. Last entry times at Rock City are available daily at seerockcity.com.
Adventurers cross the Swing-A-Long Bridge at Rock City. (Credit: Rock City)
Tickets must be used for entry on the same date at both attractions, and taxes are included in the ticket price. Combo tickets are only available for purchase online and will be available through Oct. 31.
The Tennessee Aquarium is located in downtown Chattanooga. Rock City is located just six scenic miles away atop Lookout Mountain.
Guests should allow for at least two hours to visit the Aquarium and 1 ½ hours to explore Rock City.
Plan your visit at tnaqua.org/visitor-faqs/ and seerockcity.com/faqs/.
Learn more about the promotion and purchase Tennessee Aquarium + Rock City Combo Tickets at tnaqua.org/rock-city-combo-ticket/ and seerockcity.com/rock-city-aquarium-combo-visit/.